Echolink is available as a program for your Computer or as an app for your mobile.
This uses your mobile data, or through your broadband.
It then allows you to connect directly into repeaters or with other hams.
It allows you to select the country so is good for getting around.
Some Hams don't like it as it is not all RF but there are lots of situations where it is good.
You can use your transceiver to go into nodes or some repeaters allow you to connect in then dial up another repeater. It is very versatile.
I hope this helps a little and hasn't confused you to much.
Ian

I think you can also access Echolink using an 'Echolink enabled repeater' and your Baofeng. If you have some means of producing DTMF tones. There are some apps for iPhone(DTMF Pad) / Android to do this.